FRAUD cases in the North increased by 22 per cent during 2004, according to figures from KPMG's Fraud Baro-meter.

However, the overall value of frauds being committed in the region fell by 14 per cent, reflecting that attempts by Customs and Excise to clamp down on big tax frauds are continuing to bite.

In total across the region 22 fraud cases with a total value of a little over £18.5 million came to court in 2004.

Some of the high-profile cases from the Yorkshire region include:

A bankrupt butcher from York who set up bogus businesses in the names of The Simpsons cartoon show.

A Huddersfield man in a building materials and car dupe worth more than £100,000.

A conman from Leeds who used aggressive sales techniques to fleece the elderly through his dodgy home improvement company.

A former market trader from Grimsby who faked his own death in a £320,000 life insurance scam.

An office clerk who fleeced her firm of £100,000 by inventing fake employees.

Six people from across the region were found guilty of running various mortgage frauds.

The total number of fraud cases nationally rose by 14 per cent in 2004, while the overall value of frauds being committed fell by 12 per cent. The rise in actual cases signals a growing problem for UK companies.

In all, 174 fraud cases came to court last year, with a total value just under £330 million.

Updated: 10:54 Monday, February 14, 2005